cbstarkey

HIPPA. I'm sure you can find an appropriate topic that wouldn't compromise your ethics or the privacy of your client(s).

Try being a CNA to see if you like working in the healthcare field. Put in the extra time to become and LPN or RN, especially if you have a previous degree where credits might count toward your degree completion. Ideally, you'll have more options. Check the waitlists for programs in your area and get some pre-reqs out of the way while you wait. I took an early retirement at 51 because the package provided me with a guaranteed pension and benefits. I got my CNA right away so I could work some while in nursing school. Yes, I had a steady income which made things much easier for me to work on my RN while doing home care a couple of days a week for extra $ and experience. I did find some limitations in my RN employment options because I am only interested in part-time work. There have also been some limits because of my age during interviews and the screening process (people will say otherwise but it is indeed a factor). I say healthcare is a great second career plan but being a CNA for lower pay and more taxing physical work will get old. I work 2 days a week PRN/contingent in LTC and it has been fine. I also get plenty of opportunity to pick up shifts when I want to bank more $ for vacations and such. I am 56 now and do not regret my choices because they have worked for me. Believe me, there are days that try my patience. The key to a 2nd career is to stay active, learn, earn $, and make contributions while you are still able to do so (my opinion). Having some knowledge in the healthcare field is also beneficial while planning care for aging parents and family members as well.

I went to an interview that required a certain color of scrubs for a shadowing experience that I bought. At the time I had recently finished my ADN program and had passed my NCLEX. When I came back from the shadowing experience the interviewer said "you don't have your BSN yet?" That info was clear on both my application and my resume. I responded that it was correct. I had a B.S. in another discipline and was enrolled in a BSN program. They said, "sorry, we didn't pay attention to your written materials and we are seeking Magnet Status." What can you do. I hope they pay attention to patient charts and written orders. I gave the right colored scrubs to someone else who needed them for a clinical there and never looked back. Mixed blessing.

I graduated with my ADN last May and almost 1/2 done with my RN-to-BSN program. The area that I live in is saturated with BSN grads. 1 of the 2 area hospitals only hires BSN grads with an occasional exception if you were a tech there, they will hire a BSN with no experience over an RN with solid experience. The other hospital is generally the same unless you were a tech there or have connections/know someone. Our ADN instructors said any nursing job is experience. Many of my classmates made comments and judgements about working in LTC. I think that any experience is a plus. That being said, a classmate and I are both working at the same LTC facility, which has sub-acute and dementia residents.. It has been very challenging and by no means "easy" or lacking in clinical judgement or critical thinking. Our facility pays very well, has tuition reimbursement,, and lots of little perks. There are staffing issues for many of the reasons that you mentioned which relates to some nice overtime opportunities. The orientation was 7-10 shifts which was stressful. Your orientation sounds so reasonable. I bet you are great to work for and I hope that many great nurses are drawn to your facility.

I have am an RN with a bachelor's in another discipline as well. That has not helped with my job search, at all. I also live in an area that is saturated with new grads from both ADN and BSN programs, which also means that there are several educational opportunities available. I am in an RN-to-BSN completion program that is nationally accredited and only required 30 credits for completion. That is very reasonable. Paying for more school while I have still been looking for my first nursing job over the past 3 months has been stressful, but it makes me feel like I am actively doing something while I continue to apply for jobs. A couple of my friends have looked at RN-to-MSN programs but it was very questionable as to whether those were programs were accredited in any way. Best wishes.

Good for you about being open and honest about your concerns. Although I wasn't the only male in my CNA skills course we were in smaller groups in the clinical portion and I can relate to some of what you've mentioned as I was the only male in that group. If you focus on your skills and what you are doing for your patients you will likely forget about the gender concerns that you've expressed. You'll be busy and you won't think about it as much. There was one time when a female patient objected to having a male/me insert a catherter. It wasn't anything that I did or said, it just happens. If you really want to be a nurse then go for it. I don't have any regrets. Good luck.

My advice is that if you aren't sure about your decision to take a Certified Nursing Assistant course. CNA certification was a program requirement for my ADN program. Some nursing programs use CNA certification to grant more application points for admission consideration. I actually say this because you would also be exposed to some patient care during the clinical portion of the course. I went to an ADN program at age 50 and am in a RN-to-BSN program now while looking for a position the past 3 months. If you feel passionate about the nursing field you won't regret your decision.